Your guide to finding and caring for a Burmilla in Charleston
A Burmilla is a good match for a calm Charleston home, whether that's a brick house in Wagener Terrace or a condo on Daniel Island. They're easygoing, happy on a window perch, and usually fine alone during a workday. They do want a burst of play when you get home, then a long nap beside you. Keep one indoors or on a screened porch, since coyotes have been spotted on the Upper Peninsula.
Meet your next Burmilla
While we don't have enough cats near Charleston, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 5 mo., 2500 miles
Bombay
F, 5 mo., 2500 miles
Bombay
F, 5 mo., 2500 miles
Bombay
F, 7 mo., 2500 miles
Bombay
F, 3 mo., 2500 miles
Burmese, Oriental Short Hair
M, 3-7 y., 821 miles
Domestic Medium Hair, Bombay
M, 0-6 mo., 942 miles
Bombay, Domestic Long Hair
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 951 miles
Bombay, Domestic Short Hair
M, 3 mo., 2187 miles
Bombay
The Burmilla started with an accidental 1981 mating in Britain between a Chinchilla Persian male and a lilac Burmese female, which produced four shaded silver kittens. The name blends Burmese and Chinchilla. Burmillas are medium-sized and muscular, usually 6 to 13 pounds, with green eyes outlined in dark color and a shimmering coat that's pale at the roots and tipped with color.
Many have the Burmese's playful streak and the Persian's mellow calm, staying kittenish into adulthood without being demanding. They're usually quiet and comfortable with other pets. The short or semi-long coat is easy to keep up, and shedding runs low to moderate. The breed is uncommon in North America, so in Charleston it's worth watching the listings on this page and looking at similar breeds.
Having a Burmilla in Charleston
Playful without being frantic and affectionate without being clingy, a Burmilla is a manageable companion for many Charleston households. Here's what to know about activity, inherited health risks and home setup before you adopt.
Burmillas are often sweet, curious and sociable, greeting visitors and settling near their people without constant demands. Many get along with respectful children, other cats and cat-friendly dogs after gradual introductions. Each cat is different, so a cat's comfort with handling and new people matters more than breed expectations.
Expect short bursts of energetic play followed by long naps. Wand toys, chase games and a tall cat tree cover the athletic side, and food puzzles keep a curious mind busy. Daily interactive play helps prevent weight gain, which matters for a cat living entirely indoors in a Charleston home.
Burmillas can inherit polycystic kidney disease from Persian ancestors and the Burmese head defect, and DNA tests exist for both. Not every cat is affected, but the breed's small gene pool makes health records valuable. A veterinarian can discuss testing, and regular exams, dental care and weight checks matter as a cat ages.
A Burmilla can settle into a Charleston apartment, condo or house as long as there are climbing spots, window perches and a quiet place to rest. Many cope well with a workday alone. Screen windows and balconies, and use a secure enclosure or harness for any outdoor time.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Food | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Pet insurance | $25 to $50 per month | $300 to $600 |
| Routine vet care | $150 to $350 per year | $150 to $350 |
| Other* | $450 to $1,150 per year | $450 to $1,150 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,200 to $2,700 | |
Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* Litter, flea prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys, scratchers and cat trees, and weekly combing supplies for a short or semi-long coat.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below have cats available in and near Charleston.
Shelters and rescues across the Charleston area care for cats and dogs waiting for adoption. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Charleston area with cats available for adoption, worth asking whether a Burmilla is coming in.
Yes, you can get a Burmilla in Charleston, though the breed is uncommon, so watch the listings on this page, look at similar breeds and nearby cities, and save a search to hear about new cats. Under South Carolina law, shelters and rescues must sterilize a cat before release or have the adopter agree to do it within 30 days.
Yes, as indoor cats in an air-conditioned home. Charleston summers are humid, with downtown nights staying around 76 degrees, so heat doesn't ease after dark. Plan for storm-related power outages by keeping water out, shaded perches and a cool interior room available. Panting, drooling or lethargy calls for a veterinarian right away.
Yes, a Burmilla usually does well in an apartment. They're quiet, moderately active and often comfortable alone during a workday. Give the cat a tall tree, window perches and daily play, and screen windows and balconies. Confirm your lease's pet rules, fees and any limits before you sign, since those vary by building.
Not much. A weekly comb keeps the short or semi-long silky coat tidy, and shedding runs low to moderate, though it may rise in spring. Humid weather doesn't change the routine much. Grooming is mostly at-home combing, covered under Other in the cost table, plus occasional nail trims and tooth care.
Charleston's CARTA buses, including the free downtown DASH shuttle, clearly welcome service animals, but pet rules for cats aren't published, so check CARTA's current policy before bringing a Burmilla. If it's allowed, use a secure, well-ventilated carrier. Most Burmilla trips are vet visits, where a calm, carrier-trained cat makes things easier.
No, Burmilla cats are not hypoallergenic. They shed like other cats, and the main cat allergen, a protein found in saliva and skin secretions, spreads onto the coat during grooming. There is no evidence that Burmillas produce less of it. People with allergies should spend extended time with the specific cat before adopting and discuss options with their doctor.
Burmilla cats typically live about 10 to 15 years, and many healthy indoor cats reach their mid-teens or beyond. Lifespan depends on genetics, weight, dental care and access to veterinary care. Inherited kidney disease from Persian ancestry can shorten life, so scheduling regular blood and urine tests as the cat ages is worthwhile.
A Burmilla is a medium-sized cat breed created in Britain from a cross between a Chinchilla Persian and a Burmese. It is known for a sparkling silver or golden coat tipped or shaded with color, green eyes rimmed in dark outlines, and a playful, gentle personality. Burmillas come in shorthaired and semi-longhaired varieties.
Yes, Burmillas usually make good indoor cats. They tend to be adaptable, relaxed and content with home life as long as they have toys, climbing spaces and window perches. Many are comfortable being alone for a few hours. Daily interactive play keeps them fit and engaged, and a secure enclosure or harness can add safe outdoor experiences.
Plan on about $25 to $50 a month for food and $25 to $50 a month for insurance, plus $150 to $350 a year for routine vet care and $450 to $1,150 a year in other costs. That comes to roughly $1,200 to $2,700 a year, before any emergency care.
Looking for a different breed? Browse other cats available for adoption in Charleston.
